Pipe stopper assembly

ABSTRACT

A pipe stopper assembly includes a stopper fitting defining a fitting channel, the stopper fitting configured to be mounted to a pipeline; and a pipe stopper positioned in the fitting channel and comprising an expandable stopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the pressure assembly configurable in an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein, in the open configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the expanded configuration, and in the closed configuration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the contracted configuration; and wherein, in the expanded configuration, fluid is prohibited from flowing through the fitting channel, and in the contracted configuration, fluid is permitted to flow through the fitting channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.17/404,310, filed Aug. 17, 2021, which is hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to pipelines. More specifically, this disclosurerelates to a pipe stopper assembly for stopping the flow of fluidthrough a pipeline.

BACKGROUND

Pipelines allow fluid (e.g., gas or liquid) to flow therethrough.Pipelines and components thereof periodically require servicing orreplacement, in which case it may be necessary to stop the flow of fluidthrough the pipeline for a period of time. Typically, a fitting isinstalled around a pipe of the pipeline and a knife gate valve ismounted to the fitting. The knife gate valve can be selectively openedand closed to allow or prohibit access to the pipe through the fitting.A cutting machine is mounted on the knife gate valve and a cutter isinserted into the fitting through the open knife gate valve and cutsinto the pipe within the fitting to create an opening in the pipe. Thecutter is then removed and a pipe stopper is inserted into the pipethrough the opening to stop the flow of fluid therethrough. Typical pipestoppers are manually operated, but often require significant force toengage, which can be difficult to provide manually. Additionally, manualoperation of the stopper can result in user error, and specifically canresult in the pipe stopper not being properly or consistently sealedagainst the pipeline. If not adequately sealed with the pipeline, fluidin the pipeline can leak past the pipe stopper.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts off the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is a pipe stopper comprising an expandable stopper bodydefining a stopper cavity and configurable in an expanded configurationand a contracted configuration; a pressure assembly comprising apressure housing and a piston, the piston slidably engaged with ahousing cavity of the pressure housing, the piston operatively connectedto the expandable stopper body; and a valve stem define a stem fluidpathway, the valve stem movable between an open position and a closedposition; wherein, in the open position, the stem fluid pathway is influid communication with the housing cavity and the expandable stopperbody is biased towards the expanded configuration, and in the closedconfiguration, the stem fluid pathway is not in fluid communication withthe housing cavity and the expandable stopper body is biased towards thecontracted configuration.

Also disclosed is a pipe stopper assembly comprising a stopper fittingdefining a fitting channel, the stopper fitting configured to be mountedto a pipeline; and a pipe stopper positioned in the fitting channel andcomprising an expandable stopper body and a pressure assembly, theexpandable stopper body configurable in an expanded configuration and acontracted configuration, the pressure assembly configurable in an openconfiguration and a closed configuration; wherein, in the openconfiguration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the expandedconfiguration, and in the closed configuration, the expandable stopperbody is biased to the contracted configuration; and wherein, in theexpanded configuration, fluid is prohibited from flowing through thefitting channel, and in the contracted configuration, fluid is permittedto flow through the fitting channel.

Also disclosed is a method of stopping fluid flow through a pipeline,the method comprising: providing a pipe stopper comprising an expandablestopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper bodyconfigurable in an expanded configuration and a contractedconfiguration, the pressure assembly configurable in an openconfiguration and a closed configuration and comprising a housingcavity; lowering the expandable stopper body of a pipe stopper into apipe channel of a pipeline in the contracted configuration; orientingthe pressure assembly in the open configuration, wherein an upperportion of the housing cavity is in fluid communication with anatmosphere external to the pipeline and a lower portion of the housingcavity is in fluid communication with the pipe channel; and biasing theexpandable stopper body to the expanded configuration to block fluidflow through the pipe channel.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pipe stopper assembly inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the pipestopper assembly is assembled with a pipeline.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the pipe stopper assembly of FIG. 1taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 , wherein a pipe stopper of the pipestopper assembly is in a raised position and a contracted configuration.

FIG. 2B is a detail cross-sectional view of the pipe stopper of FIG. 2A,taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2C is a detail cross-sectional view of a valve stem of the pipestopper of FIG. 2A, taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 , wherein the valvestem is in an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the pipe stopper of FIG. 2Ain a lowered position and in the contracted configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of the pipe stopper of FIG. 2Ain the lowered position and in the contracted configuration, taken alongline 4-4 in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the pipe stopper of FIG.2A in the lowered position and in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the pipe stopper of FIG. 2A in thelowered position and the expanded configuration, taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 5 , wherein an upper locking ring and a lower locking ring of thepipe stopper are in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 7 is another cross-section view of the pipe stopper of FIG. 2A inthe lowered position and in the expanded configuration, taken along line6-6 in FIG. 5 , wherein the upper locking ring and the lower lockingring of FIG. 6 are in a locked configuration.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the pipe stopper in accordance with anotheraspect of present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front view of Detail 9 taken from FIG. 8 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andthe previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects ofthe present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, whilestill obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. Itwill also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the presentdisclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of thepresent disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrativeof the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitationthereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more suchelements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, oneshould note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed in the present application is a pipe stopper and associatedmethods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. Example aspects of thepipe stopper can comprise an expandable stopper body and an actuationdevice. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that thedisclosed pipe stopper is described in but a few exemplary aspects amongmany. No particular terminology or description should be consideredlimiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a pipe stopper assembly100, according to the present disclosure. The pipe stopper assembly 100can be assembled with a pipeline 180, as shown. The pipeline 180 can beconfigured to transport pipeline fluids, such as liquids, gases, or thelike. For example, in the present aspect, the pipeline fluid can be agas; however, in other aspects, the pipeline fluid can be a liquid, suchas water. In the present aspect, the pipe stopper assembly 100 can beassembled to a singular pipe 185 of the pipeline 180. However, in otheraspects, the pipe stopper assembly 100 can be assembled with and canconnect a pair of pipes. According to example aspects, the pipe stopperassembly 100 can comprise a stopper fitting 105, a stopper bonnet 130,and a pipe stopper 140. The stopper fitting 105 can be configured as atee fitting, as shown, or as any other suitable fitting known in theart. Example aspects of the stopper fitting 105 can define an outerfitting surface 106, an inner fitting surface 200 (shown in FIG. 2A), aninlet fitting end 110, an outlet fitting end 111, an upper fitting end112, and a lower fitting end 113. The stopper fitting 105 can comprisean inlet fitting arm 114 extending from the inlet fitting end 110towards the outlet fitting end 111 and an outlet fitting arm 115extending from the outlet fitting end 111 towards the inlet fitting end110. The stopper fitting 105 can further comprise an upper fitting arm116 extending from the upper fitting end 112 to the inlet and outletfitting arms 114,115, and a lower fitting arm 117 extending from thelower fitting end 113 to the inlet and outlet fitting arms 114,115. Alower fitting cap 118 can be secured to the lower fitting arm 117 at thelower fitting end 113. A fitting mounting flange 120 can be coupled tothe upper fitting arm 116 at the upper fitting end 112. The innerfitting surface 200 can define a fitting channel 201 (shown in FIG. 2A),which in the present aspect can be substantially t-shaped, as describedin further detail below.

As shown, the pipe 185 can extend through the fitting channel 201 fromthe inlet fitting end 110 to the outlet fitting end 111. Thus, the pipe185 can define an inlet pipe section 186 adjacent to the inlet fittingend 110 and an outlet pipe section 188 adjacent to the outlet fittingend 111. Example aspects of the pipe 185 can define a pipe sidewall 190,and the pipe sidewall 190 can define a pipe channel 192. Furthermore,example aspects of the stopper fitting 105 can define a fitting axis 124extending through the fitting channel 201 from the inlet fitting end 110to the outlet fitting end 111, and the pipe channel 192 can besubstantially coaxial with the stopper fitting 105, as shown. In someaspects, the stopper fitting 105 can comprise an upper segment 126 and alower segment 128, which can be assembled around the pipe 185 andsecured together. For example, in the present aspect, the upper segment126 and lower segment 128 can be sealed together at one or more seallines 129 by welding. In other aspects, any other fasteners or fasteningtechniques can be used to secure the upper segment 126 to the lowersegment 128. For example, in other aspects, each of the upper segment126 and the lower segment 128 can define a flange along thecorresponding seal line 129, and the flanges can be secured together byone or more fasteners, such as nut and bolt assemblies, for example andwithout limitation.

Example aspects of the stopper bonnet 130 can be substantiallycylindrical and can defining an outer bonnet surface 131, an innerbonnet surface 202 (shown in FIG. 2A), an upper bonnet end 133, and alower bonnet end 134. The inner bonnet surface 202 can define a bonnetcavity 203 (shown in FIG. 2A), which can be open at the lower bonnet end134. Example aspects of the stopper bonnet 130 can further comprise abonnet top plate 136 formed at the upper bonnet end 133 to seal thebonnet cavity 203 at the upper bonnet end 133. As shown, the stopperbonnet 130 can define a bonnet mounting flange 138 at the lower bonnetend 134. In example aspects, the stopper bonnet 130 can be removablysecured to the stopper fitting 105 by securing the bonnet mountingflange 138 to the fitting mounting flange 120. A plurality of mountingholes 139 can be formed through each of the fitting mounting flange 120and the bonnet mounting flange 138, and each of the mounting holes 139of the fitting mounting flange 120 can be aligned with a correspondingmounting hole 139 of the bonnet mounting flange 138. A fastener (notshown) can extend through each corresponding pair of mounting holes 139to secure the stopper bonnet 130 to the stopper fitting 105. Thefasteners can be screws, nut and bolt assemblies, rivets, or any othersuitable fastener known in the art. In other aspects, any other suitablefastening technique can be used to secure the stopper bonnet 130 to thestopper fitting 105, such as welding, adhesives, and the like. In someaspects, a knife gate valve can be installed between the stopper fitting105 and the stopper bonnet 120. The knife gate valve can be selectivelyopen and closed to allow and prohibit access to the stopper fitting 105through the upper fitting end 112 thereof.

According to example aspects, the stopper fitting 105 and the stopperbonnet 130 can be formed from a metal material such as, for example,steel. However, other example aspects of the stopper fitting 105 and/orthe stopper bonnet 130 can be formed from any other suitable metalmaterial, including, but not limited to, iron, carbon, bronze, oranother iron material, or can be formed from a non-metal material, suchas, for example, plastic or any other suitable non-metal material knownin the art.

Example aspects of the pipe stopper 140 can comprise an expandablestopper body 204 (shown in FIG. 2A) and an actuation device 150.According to example aspects, the expandable stopper body 204 can bemovable within the bonnet cavity 203 and the fitting channel 201 betweena raised position, as shown in FIG. 2A, and a lowered position, as shownin FIGS. 3-7 . The expandable stopper body 204 can also bereconfigurable between a contracted configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, and an expanded configuration, as shown in FIGS. 5-7 . The expandablestopper body 204 can be naturally biased to the contractedconfiguration, as described in further detail below. The actuationdevice 150 can be configured to selectively move the expandable stopperbody 204 between the raised position and lowered position and toselectively allow the expandable stopper body 204 to be biased betweenthe contracted and expanded configurations. Example aspects of theactuation device 150 can comprise a valve stem 152 and an actuationhandle 154. The valve stem 152 can extend through a bonnet opening 137in the bonnet top plate 136 and into the bonnet cavity 203. Theactuation handle 154 can be coupled to the valve stem 152 at an upperstem end 153 thereof outside of the bonnet cavity 203, such that theactuation handle 154 can be accessible to an operator. In other aspects,the actuation device 150 may not be accessible. In example aspects, theactuation device 150 can be raised and lowered to move the pipe stopper140 between the raised and lowered positions. Furthermore, the actuationdevice 150 can be rotated to allow the expandable stopper body 204 to bebiased from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration,and vice versa. An operator, tool, or machine, can engage the actuationdevice 150 to facilitate raising, lowering, or rotating the valve stem152. In some aspects, the pipe stopper 140 can further comprise alocking assembly 160 comprising a hollow locking shaft 162 configured toextend through the bonnet opening 137 in the bonnet top plate 136, Thelocking shaft 162 can be substantially cylindrical and can define alocking shaft channel 164 therethrough. As shown, the locking shaft 162can define an upper locking shaft end 163 disposed outside of the bonnetcavity 203, and the upper locking shaft end 163 can be open to allowaccess to the locking shaft channel 164. Thus, in the present aspect,fluid in the locking shaft channel 164 can flow into the surroundingatmosphere at the upper locking shaft end 163, as described in furtherdetail below.

FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pipe stopper assembly100 assembled with the pipeline 180, and FIG. 2B illustrates a detailcross-sectional view of the pipe stopper assembly 100, both taken alongline 2-2 in FIG. 1 . As described above, the fitting channel 201 can besubstantially t-shaped and can extend from the inlet fitting end 110 tothe outlet fitting end 111, and from the upper fitting end 112 to thelower fitting end 113. The lower fitting cap 118 can be configured toseal the fitting channel 201 at the lower fitting end 113, as shown.Furthermore, the fitting channel 201 can be in fluid communication withthe bonnet cavity 203, as shown. Example aspects of the pipe 185 candefine a substantially cylindrical pipe sidewall 190, and the pipesidewall 190 can define the pipe channel 192, as shown. The pipe 185 candefine the inlet pipe section 186 adjacent to the inlet fitting end 110and the outlet pipe section 188 adjacent to the outlet fitting end 111.A central pipe section 292 of the pipe 185 can extend through thefitting channel 201 from the inlet fitting end 110 to the outlet fittingend 111. According to example aspects, the central pipe section 292 ofthe pipe 185 can define an upper pipe opening 393 (shown in FIG. 3 )formed through the pipe sidewall 190 and a lower pipe opening 294 formedthrough the pipe sidewall 190, each allowing access to the pipe channel192. The upper pipe opening 393 can be aligned with the upper fittingarm 116 (shown in FIG. 1 ), and the lower pipe opening 294 can bealigned with the lower fitting arm 117 (shown in FIG. 1 ). As such, thepipe channel 192 can also be in fluid communication with the fittingchannel 201 and the bonnet cavity 203.

According to example aspects, the upper pipe opening 393 and the lowerpipe opening 294 can be formed through the pipe 185 by a cuttingmachine. The cutting machine can be mounted to the stopper fitting 105and a cutter of the cutting machine can be inserted into the stopperfitting 105 through the upper fitting end 112. In aspects of the pipestopper assembly 100 comprising the knife gate valve, the knife gatevalve can be opened to allow the cutter to be inserted into the stopperfitting 105. The cutter can cut through the pipe 185 at an upper pipeend 288 thereof to cut an upper pipe coupon therefrom and to form theupper pipe opening 393 therethrough. Similarly, the cutter can cutthrough the pipe 185 at a lower pipe end 289 thereof to cut a lower pipecoupon therefrom and to form the lower pipe opening 294 therethrough.The upper and lower pipe coupons can then be removed from the pipe 185.The cutting machine can also be removed from the pipe stopper assembly100 after forming the upper and lower pipe openings 393,294.

In normal operation, pipeline fluid (e.g., gas) can flow through thecentral pipe section 292 of the pipeline 180 within the fitting channel201 from the inlet fitting end 110 to the outlet fitting end 111, andthus, can be transmitted from the inlet pipe section 186 to the outletpipe section 188. In some instances, pipeline fluid can flow through thecentral pipe section 292 within the fitting channel 201 in the reversedirection, from the outlet fitting end 111 to the inlet fitting end 110,as desired. According to example aspects, the expandable stopper body204 can be inserted into the fitting channel 201 through the upperfitting end 112 (shown in FIG. 1 ) and into pipe channel 192 through theupper pipe opening 393. As shown, in the raised position, the expandablestopper body 204 can be raised fully or partially out of the pipechannel 192 to allow pipeline fluid to flow through the pipe channel192. For example, in the raised position, the expandable stopper body204 can be elevated away from the lower pipe opening 294 of the pipe 185and can be oriented fully or partially within the bonnet cavity 203and/or a portion of the fitting channel 201 defined by the upper fittingarm 116. In some aspects, the expandable stopper body 204 can remainpartially inserted into the pipe channel 192 while in the raisedposition, as shown, while in other aspects, the expandable stopper body204 can be fully withdrawn from the pipe channel 192 in the raisedposition. In the lowered position, the expandable stopper body 204 canextend through each of the upper pipe opening 393 and lower pipe opening294, and can be expanded to seal with the pipe sidewall 190 to blockpipeline fluid from flowing through the pipe channel 192, as describedin further detail below.

Example aspects of the expandable stopper body 204 can comprise asubstantially cylindrical shell, such as a split shell 205. As shown,the split shell 205 can define an upper shell end 207 and a lower shellend 208. The split shell 205 can further define a stopper axis 206extending centrally therethrough from the upper shell end 207 to thelower shell end 208. The stopper axis 206 can be substantiallyperpendicular to the fitting axis 124. In example aspects, the splitshell 205 can define an opening therethrough, such as a longitudinalshell slot 300 (shown in FIG. 3 ) extending from the upper shell end 207to the lower shell end 208. The split shell 205 can further define anouter surface 210 and an inner surface 211. The inner surface 211 candefine a stopper cavity 212, as shown, and the shell slot 300 canconnect the stopper cavity 212 in fluid communication with the pipechannel 192 and the fitting channel 201. According to example aspects,the split shell 205 can comprise an arcuate shell body 213 extendingfrom the upper shell end 207 to the lower shell end 208. The arcuateshell body 213 can be substantially elastic or can define an elasticregion to allow for bending of the arcuate shell body 213 from thecontracted configuration to the expanded configuration. In thecontracted configuration, as shown, the arcuate shell body 213 can benaturally biased radially inward. In the expanded configuration, thearcuate shell body 213 can bend radially outward to increase a diameterof the split shell 205. Example aspects of the split shell 205 can beformed from a metal material, such as steel for example. Other aspectsof the split shell 205 can be formed from any other suitable known inthe art, including other types of metals, plastics, composites, and thelike. In some aspects, a resilient layer or coating, such as a sealinglayer 216 (shown in FIG. 2B), can be applied to the outer surface 210 ofthe split shell 205. The sealing layer 216 can seal with the upper andlower pipe openings 393,294 in the expanded configuration to create afluid tight seal between the split shell 205 and the pipe 185. Thesealing layer 216 can comprise any suitable resilient material,including rubbers, plastics, and the like. In some aspects, the sealinglayer 216 can comprise urethane.

In example aspects, the arcuate shell body 213 can be operativelyconnected to the actuation device 150. As shown, the pipe stopper 140can comprise one or more actuation arms 220 disposed within the stoppercavity 212 and connected to the arcuate shell body 213. In the presentaspect, the actuation arms 220 can comprise upper actuation arms 221 andlower actuation arms 222, and each of the upper actuation arms 221 andlower actuation arms 222 can be pivotably connected to the arcuate shellbody 213. In the contracted configuration of the pipe stopper assembly100, as shown, each of the upper actuation arms 221 and lower actuationarms 222 can be oriented at an angle relative to the horizontal. In someaspects, a distal arm end 223 of each of the actuation arms 220 can bepivotably connected to a bracket wall 225 extending radially inward,relative to the stopper axis 206, from the arcuate shell body 213.Furthermore, a proximal arm end 224 of each of the upper actuation arms221 can be pivotably connected to an upper chuck block 226, and theproximal arm end 224 of each of the lower actuation arms 222 can bepivotably connected to a lower chuck block 227. The upper and loweractuation arms 221,221 can be pivotably connected to the bracket walls224 and the corresponding upper and lower chuck blocks 226,227 byfasteners. For example, the fasteners can be nut and bolt assemblies orany other suitable fastener known in the art. Other aspects of theexpandable stopper body 204 can comprise more or fewer actuation arms220 connected to the arcuate shell body 213. According to exampleaspects, the actuation arms 220 can be configured to bias the arcuateshell body 213 outward to the expanded configuration and to contract thearcuate shell body 213 inward in the contracted configuration. As thearcuate shell body 213 is biased outward or contracted inward, thearcuate shell body 213 can bend, allowing the diameter of split shell205 to increase and decrease, respectively.

Example aspects of the pipe stopper 140 can further comprise an upperactuation plate 230, a lower actuation plate 231, and a swivel assembly235 disposed between the upper actuation plate 230 and lower actuationplate 231. The swivel assembly 235 can comprise an upper swivel cylinder236 and a lower swivel cylinder 237. As shown, the upper swivel cylinder236 and lower swivel cylinder 237 can together define a swivel cavity238. According to example aspects, the upper swivel cylinder 236 can beconfigured to telescope within the lower swivel cylinder 237. The lowerswivel cylinder 237 can define a plurality of cylinder openings 239formed therethrough, such that the swivel cavity 238 can be in fluidcommunication with the stopper cavity 212. In other aspects, the upperswivel cylinder 236 can also or alternatively define the cylinderopenings 239 therethrough. In the present aspect, the upper swivelcylinder 236 can define a longitudinal cylinder slot 240 (shown in FIG.2B) formed therethrough, and the lower swivel cylinder 237 can define alongitudinal cylinder rib 241 (shown in FIG. 2B) extending radiallyinward and slidably engaging the longitudinal cylinder slot 240. Thecylinder rib 241 can slide within the cylinder slot 240 as the upperswivel cylinder 236 telescopes relative to the lower swivel cylinder237.

Furthermore, the upper swivel cylinder 236 can define an upper swivelplate 242, and the lower swivel cylinder 237 can define a lower swivelplate 243. According to example aspects, the upper chuck blocks 226 canbe disposed between the upper actuation plate 230 and the upper swivelplate 242, and the lower chuck blocks 227 can be disposed between thelower actuation plate 231 and the lower swivel plate 243. Each of theupper and lower chuck blocks 226,227 can engage a block recess 232 ofthe corresponding upper or lower actuation plate 230,231, and can beconfigured to slide radially within the corresponding block recess 232,relative to the stopper axis 206. Additionally, each of the upper swivelplate 242 and the lower swivel plate 243 can define a spiral track 244extending therefrom, and each of the upper chuck blocks 226 and thelower chuck blocks 227 can define one or more arcuate recesses 228(shown in FIG. 2B). The spiral track 244 of the upper swivel plate 242can slidably engage the arcuate recesses 228 of the upper chuck blocks226, and the spiral track 244 of the lower swivel plate 243 can slidablyengage the arcuate recesses 228 of the lower chuck blocks 227. Inexample aspects, the swivel assembly 235 can be rotated to slide thespiral tracks 244 of the upper and lower swivel plates 242,243 withinthe arcuate recesses 228 of the corresponding upper and lower chuckblocks 226,227, respectively. The upper and lower chuck blocks 226,227can slide radially inward and outward within the corresponding blockrecess 232 of the upper and lower actuation plates 230,231,respectively, as they ride on the rotating spiral track 244, dependingupon which way the swivel assembly 235 is rotated. Thus, rotating theswivel assembly 235 can adjust the radial position of the upper andlower chuck blocks 226,227 with the corresponding block recesses 232,relative to the stopper axis 206. The positioning of the upper and lowerchuck blocks 226,227 can be set while the pipe stopper 140 is in theraised position, and can determine the amount of force that the pipestopper 140 can exert against the pipe 185 in the expandedconfiguration. In some aspects, the positioning of the upper and lowerchuck blocks 226,227 can be set prior to assembling the pipe stopperassembly 100 with the pipeline 180. According to example aspects, theadjustment of the upper and lower chuck blocks 226,227 can also adjust adiameter of the pipe stopper 140 to accommodate upper and lower pipeopenings 393,294 of varying sizes. For example, the upper and lowerchuck blocks 226,227 can be adjusted to accommodate slightly oversizedor slightly undersized upper and lower pipe openings 393,294. Theadjustment of the upper and lower chuck blocks 226,227 is described infurther detail below.

Referring to FIG. 2B, as shown, the valve stem 152 can define anelongate stem body 248 and a stem base 249. The elongate stem body 248can extend to the upper stem end 153 (shown in FIG. 1 ), and the stembase 249 can be oriented at a lower stem end 250 thereof. In the presentaspect, the stem base 249 can define a diameter than can be greater thana diameter of the elongate stem body 248. According to example aspects,the pipe stopper 140 can further comprise a hollow valve shaft 253defining a shaft channel 295. The valve shaft 253 can define an uppershaft end 254 (shown in FIG. 2A) and a lower shaft end 255. The uppershaft end 254 of the valve shaft 253 can be disposed within the lockingshaft channel 164 of the locking shaft 162, and the valve shaft 253 canbe configured to slide within the locking shaft channel 164. Moreover,the upper shaft end 254 can be open to allow access to the shaft channel295, and thus, the shaft channel 295 can be in fluid communication withthe locking shaft channel 164. The lower shaft end 255 of the valveshaft 253 can be disposed within the stopper cavity 212, and the valveshaft 253 can be secured to the upper actuation plate 230 at the lowershaft end 255, as shown. A lower shaft wall 256 can be formed at thelower shaft end 255 to enclose the shaft channel 295 at the lower shaftend 255. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, in example aspects, the valve stem152 can extend into the shaft channel 295 at the upper shaft end 254,and the stem base 249 of the valve stem 152 can abut the lower shaftwall 256 within the shaft channel 295. As shown, a stem fluid pathway251 can extend through the stem base 249 and can be in fluidcommunication with the shaft channel 295. Example aspects of the lowershaft wall 256 can further define an external surface 258 at the lowershaft end 255, and a shaft fluid pathway 259 can extend through thelower shaft wall 256 from the internal surface to the external surface258.

According to example aspects, the swivel assembly 235 can be rotated byapplying a force thereto. For example, the swivel assembly 235 can berotated by manually by hand or by a tool. In other aspects, the rotationof the swivel assembly 235 can be driven by any other suitable drivemechanisms known in the art. With the expandable stopper body 204 in thecontracted configuration, the proximal arm ends 224 of the upperactuation arms 221 can be biased radially inward as the swivel assembly235 rotates, which in turn can slide the upper chuck blocks 226 radiallyinward within the corresponding block recesses 232 of the upperactuation plate 230. As the upper chuck blocks 226 slide radiallyinward, the engagement of the corresponding arcuate recesses 228 withthe spiral track 224 of the upper swivel plate 242 can rotate the upperswivel cylinder 236. As described above, the longitudinal cylinder rib241 of the lower swivel cylinder 237 can engage the longitudinalcylinder slot 240 of the upper swivel cylinder 236, such that the upperswivel cylinder 236 and lower swivel cylinder 237 can rotate in unison.Thus, as the upper swivel cylinder 236 rotates, the lower swivelcylinder 237 can rotate to slide the lower chuck blocks 227 radiallyinward.

According to example aspects, the valve stem 152 can be rotated betweenan open position, as shown, and a closed position. The valve stem 152can be rotated manually or can be machine driven. In the open position,as shown, the stem fluid pathway 251 can be aligned with the shaft fluidpathway 259. When the stem fluid pathway 251 is aligned with the shaftfluid pathway 259, pipeline fluid (e.g. gas) in the shaft fluid pathway259 can flow to the shaft channel 295 by way of the stem fluid pathway251. The valve stem 152 can further be rotated to a closed position, asshown, to selectively move the stem fluid pathway 251 out of alignmentwith the shaft fluid pathway 259 to prohibit fluid flow between theshaft fluid pathway 259 and the shaft channel 295. Example aspects ofthe stem base 249 can further define an equalization fluid pathway 252,which can be in fluid communication with the shaft fluid pathway 259when the valve stem 152 is in the closed position. The equalizationfluid pathway 252 can further be aligned with a shaft opening 296 formedthrough the valve shaft 253 in the closed position. In example aspects,a clearance can be provided between the valve shaft 253 and the lockingshaft 162 such that the shaft opening 296 can be in fluid communicationwith the stopper cavity 212. Alternatively, the shaft opening 296 can beoriented external to the locking shaft 162 (e.g., positioned below thelocking shaft 162, relative to the orientation shown) so that the shaftopening 296 can be in fluid communication with the stopper cavity 212.FIG. 2C illustrates the valve stem 152 and the valve shaft 253 infurther detail.

Example aspects of the pipe stopper 140 can further comprise a pressureassembly 260 configurable in an open configuration and a closedconfiguration. The pressure assembly 260 can comprise a piston 261 and apressure housing 268. The pressure housing 268 can define a housing neck269 and a housing cylinder 270. An internal housing surface 274 of thepressure housing 268 can define a housing cavity 275 within the housingcylinder 270 and a neck channel 278 within the housing neck 269. Thehousing cavity 275 and housing neck 269 can be in fluid communication.Furthermore, the external surface 258 of the lower shaft wall 256 canabut the housing neck 269 distal to the housing cylinder 270, and theshaft fluid pathway 259 of the valve shaft 253 can be in fluidcommunication with the neck channel 278. When the valve stem 152 is inthe open position, fluid can flow between from the housing cavity 275 ofthe pressure housing 268 to the shaft channel 295 of the valve shaft253, as indicated by the directional arrows. According to exampleaspects, the housing cylinder 270 can be disposed within the swivelcavity 238 of the swivel assembly 235, and can abut the upper swivelplate 242. The housing neck 269 can extend through an upper plateopening 246 formed through the upper swivel plate 242, and the upperactuation plate 230 can be mounted to the housing neck 269 adjacent tothe lower shaft end 255 of the valve shaft 253, distal to the housingcylinder 270.

Example aspects of the piston 261 can comprise a piston rod 262 and apiston disc 267 coupled to the piston rod 262. The piston disc 267 canbe slidably received within the housing cavity 275 of the housingcylinder 270, and a seal can be formed between the piston disc 267 andthe inner housing surface. The piston disc 267 can section the housingcavity 275 into an upper portion 276 and a lower portion 277, and fluidcan be prevented from passing around the piston disc 267 between the topand lower portions 276,277. Thus, only the upper portion 276 of thehousing cavity 275 can be in fluid communication with the shaft channel295 when the valve stem 152 is in the open position. Example aspects ofthe piston rod 262 can define an upper rod end 263 coupled to the pistondisc 267 and a lower rod end 264 (shown in FIG. 2A) opposite the upperrod end 263. The piston rod 262 can extend substantially downward fromthe piston disc 267, through a rod opening 272 formed in a lowercylinder wall 271 of the housing cylinder 270, and into the swivelcavity 238 of the swivel assembly 235. Housing openings 273 can beformed through the lower cylinder wall 271, such that lower portion 277of the housing cavity 275 can be in fluid communication with the swivelcavity 238. Thus, the lower portion 277 of the housing cavity 275 can bein fluid communication with the stopper cavity 212 and with the pipeline180 (shown in FIG. 2A). Referring back to FIG. 2A, the piston rod 262can further extend through a lower plate opening 245 formed in the lowerswivel plate 243 of the lower swivel cylinder 237. According to exampleaspects, the piston rod 262 can further define a rod block 265 disposedwithin the swivel cavity 238 and configured to abut the lower swivelplate 243. In the present aspect, the lower rod end 264 of the pistonrod 262 can be coupled to a lower piston cap 266, as shown, and thelower actuation plate 231 can be mounted to the lower piston cap 266, asshown.

As previously described, the shaft channel 295 of the valve shaft 253can be in fluid communication with the locking shaft channel 164. Whenthe valve stem 152 is in the open position (i.e., the stem fluid pathway251 is aligned with the shaft fluid pathway 259), fluid in the upperportion 276 of the housing cavity 275 can be released into theatmosphere through the open upper locking shaft end 163. Thus, with thevalve stem 152 in the open position, the pressure assembly 260 can be inthe open configuration, wherein the upper portion 276 is in fluidcommunication with the external atmosphere. When the valve stem 152 isin the closed position, fluid can be prevented from flowing through thestem fluid pathway 251, and thus can be prevented from flowing into orout of the upper portion 276 of the housing cavity 275. Thus, with thevalve stem 152 in the closed position, the pressure assembly 260 can bein the closed configuration, wherein the upper portion 276 is sealedfrom the atmosphere. Furthermore, in the closed position, the shaftfluid pathway 259 can align with the equalization fluid pathway 252,which allows the upper portion 276 to be in fluid communication with thepipe channel 192 and/or the bonnet cavity 203.

According to example aspects, one or more of the actuation arms 220 canbe directly or indirectly connected to the pressure assembly 260, andthe actuation arms 220 can bias the expandable stopper body 204 to theexpanded configuration when the pressure assembly 260 is in the openconfiguration. Similarly, the actuation arms 220 can draw the expandablestopper body 204 back to the contracted configuration when the pressureassembly 260 is in the closed configuration, as described in furtherdetail below.

As shown in FIG. 2A, example aspects of the pipe stopper 140 can furthercomprise the locking assembly 160, which can be movable between anunlocked configuration, as shown, and a locked configuration, as shownin FIG. 7 . In the locked configuration, the locking assembly 160 canlock the pipe stopper 140 in the expanded configuration. According toexample aspects, the locking assembly 160 can comprise an upper lockingring 280 and a lower locking ring 281. As shown, the upper locking ring280 can be oriented proximate to the upper shell end 207 of the splitshell 205, and the lower locking ring 281 can be oriented proximate tothe lower shell end 208 of the split shell 205. In some aspects, asshown, each of the upper and lower locking rings 280,281 can define anouter ring surface 282, an inner ring surface 283, and a ring sidewall284 that can taper in diameter from the outer ring surface 282 to theinner ring surface 283. In some aspects, one or more notches 290 canextend substantially radially inward into the ring sidewall 284 of eachof the upper and lower locking rings 280. Each of the notches 290 can beconfigured to receive a corresponding one of the bracket walls 225therein. In the unlocked configuration, the upper and lower lockingrings 280,281 can be disposed external, or at least partially external,to the stopper cavity 212, such that the upper and lower locking rings280,281 do not interfere with the movement of the stopper assemblybetween the expanded and contracted configurations. In the lockedconfiguration, each of the upper and lower locking rings 280,281 can bedrawn into the stopper cavity 212, with the ring sidewalls 284 engagingthe inner surface 211 of the split shell 205. The upper and lowerlocking rings 280,281 can span the expanded diameter of the split shell205 in the expanded configuration to prohibit the split shell 205 frombeing contracted. In example aspects, the upper locking ring 280 can beoperatively connected to the lower locking ring 281 by a linkage 285,such that movement of the upper locking ring 280 between the locked andunlocked configurations can cause the lower locking ring 281 tosimultaneously move between the locked and unlocked configurations. Asshown, each of the upper locking ring 280 and lower locking ring 281 cancomprise a ring linkage bracket 291 which the linkage 285 can bepivotably connected to. Additionally, the linkage 285 can be pivotablyconnected to a shell linkage bracket 292 on the inner surface 211 of thesplit shell 205. In example aspects, the linkage 285 can be pivotablyconnected to the ring linkage brackets 291 and the shell linkage bracket292 by fasteners. For example, the fasteners can be nut and boltassemblies or any other suitable fastener known in the art.

Example aspects of the locking assembly 160 can further comprise thelocking shaft 162 and a locking disc 286. The locking disc 286 can becoupled to the upper locking ring 280, as shown. The locking disc 286can further be coupled to a lower locking shaft end 287 of the lockingshaft 162 can be coupled to the locking disc 286. As previouslydescribed, the locking shaft 162 can extend through the bonnet cavity203 and can pass through the bonnet opening 137 in the bonnet top plate136 (shown in FIG. 1 ), such that the upper locking shaft end 163 (shownin FIG. 1 ) can be oriented external to the bonnet cavity 203. To movethe upper and lower locking rings 280,281 between the locked andunlocked configuration, the locking shaft 162 can be lowered and raised,respectively. The locking shaft 162 can be lowered and raised manuallyby an operator, or the locking assembly 160 can be machine-operated.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the pipe stopper 140 in the lowered positionand in the contracted configuration. The stopper fitting 105 (shown inFIG. 1 ) is removed from FIGS. 3 and 4 for full visibility of the pipestopper 140. Referring to FIG. 3 , after selectively setting thepositions of the upper and lower chuck blocks 226,227 (shown in FIG. 2A)as described above, the pipe stopper 140 can be moved from the raisedposition, wherein the pipe stopper 140 is at least partially withdrawnfrom the pipe channel 192 (shown in FIG. 4 ), to the lowered position,wherein the pipe stopper 140 is positioned within the pipe channel 192.In aspects of the pipe stopper assembly 100 comprising the knife gatevalve, the knife gate valve can be opened to allow the pipe stopper 140to be inserted therethrough and into the stopper fitting 105. The pipestopper 140 can be in the contracted configuration when lowered into thepipe channel 192, and a clearance 310 can be provided between the pipesidewall 190 and the pipe stopper 140, such that pipeline fluid (e.g.,gas) can continue to flow past the pipe stopper 140. As shown, the splitshell 205 of the pipe stopper 140 can extend transversely across thepipe channel 192 and can extend beyond the upper pipe opening 393 andthe lower pipe opening 294. In example aspects, the shell slot 300 ofthe split shell 205 can face the inlet pipe section 186 of the pipe 185,such that pipeline fluid flowing towards the pipe stopper 140 from theinlet pipe section 186 can enter the stopper cavity 212.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the valve stem 152 can be in the closed positionand the split shell 205 can be fully contracted prior to moving the pipestopper 140 to the lowered position. To move the pipe stopper 140 to thelowered position, the valve shaft 253 can be pushed downward (e.g.,manually or machine-driven), which can bias the valve shaft 253 againstthe upper actuation plate 230, forcing the pipe stopper 140 down intothe pipe channel 192. As mentioned, prior to lowering the pipe stopper140 into the pipe channel 192, the valve stem 152 can be in the closedposition, as shown, such that the upper portion 276 of the housingcavity 275 can be in fluid communication with the stopper cavity 212 andthe pipe channel 192. Furthermore, as described above, the stoppercavity 212 can also be in fluid communication with the lower portion 277of the housing cavity 275. Thus, fluid in the pipeline 180 can enterboth the upper portion 276 and the lower portion 277 of the housingcavity 275, such that the upper portion 276 and the lower portion 277are at equal pressure. Thus, the piston 261 can remain stationary withinthe housing cavity 275 when the valve stem 152 is in the closedposition.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the pipe stopper 140 in the expandedconfiguration. The stopper fitting 105 (shown in FIG. 1 ) is removedfrom FIGS. 5 and 6 for full visibility of the pipe stopper 140.Referring to FIG. 6 , to bias the expandable stopper body 204 to theexpanded configuration, the valve stem 152 can be rotated to the openposition, such that the stem fluid pathway 251 can be aligned with theshaft fluid pathway 259. As described above, when the valve stem 152 isin the open position, the atmosphere external to the pipe stopperassembly 100 (shown in FIG. 1 ) can be in fluid communication with theupper portion 276 of the housing cavity 275. According to exampleaspects, the pressure of the atmospheric air can be less that thepressure of the pipeline fluid (e.g., gas) in the pipe channel 192.Thus, the greater pressure of the pipeline fluid in the lower portion277 of the housing cavity 275 can bias the piston disc 267 of the piston261 upward within the housing cavity 275, pushing the fluid out of theupper portion 276 and into the atmosphere. As the piston disc 267 movesupward, the piston rod 262 of the piston 261 can pull the loweractuation plate 231 upward. The lower actuation plate 231 can pushupward against the lower chuck blocks 227, which can in turn push upwardagainst the lower swivel plate 243 of the lower swivel cylinder 237. Theupper swivel cylinder 236 can telescope into the lower swivel cylinder237 as the lower swivel cylinder 237 moves upward. As describe above,the radial position of the upper and lower chuck blocks 226,227 can beset prior to lowering the expandable stopper body 204 into the pipechannel 192. As the lower chuck blocks 227 are pushed upward whilemaintaining their radial position, the proximal arm ends 224 of thelower actuation arms 222 attached thereto can be drawn upwards and canpivot relative to the lower chuck blocks 227. As the proximal arm ends224 of the lower actuation arms 222 pivot, the distal arm ends 223 ofthe lower actuation arms 222 can pivot relative to the arcuate shellbody 213. The vertical position of the distal arm ends 223 can remainedfixed, and thus, the lower actuation arms 222 can move towards ahorizontal orientation. As the lower actuation arms 222 move towards thehorizontal orientation, the distal arm ends 223 attached to the arcuateshell body 213 can move radially outward, thus pushing and bending thearcuate shell body 213 radially outward.

The distal arm ends 223 of the upper actuation arms 221 can also beattached to the arcuate shell body 213. As the arcuate shell body 213 isbiased outward, the upper actuation arms 221 can pivot relative to thearcuate shell body 213 and the upper chuck blocks 226, and the proximalarm ends 224 of the upper actuation arms 221 can be drawn downward,relative to the orientation shown, moving the upper actuation arms 221towards a horizontal orientation. The corresponding upper chuck blocks226 can be biased downward by the upper actuation arms 221 attachedthereto, and the upper chuck blocks 226 can further push the upperswivel cylinder 236 downward to telescope further into the lower swivelcylinder 237. As shown, the upper swivel plate 242 of the upper swivelcylinder 236 can abut the housing cylinder 270 of the pressure housing268 and can bias the pressure housing 268 downward as the upper swivelcylinder 236 moves downward. Furthermore, the upper actuation plate 230can be mounted to the housing neck 269 of the pressure housing 268, andthus can be drawn downward as the pressure housing 268 moves downward.

As the arcuate shell body 213 is pushed radially outward by theactuation arms 220, the arcuate shell body 213 can bend to allow thediameter of the split shell 205 to be increased, and thus orienting thepipe stopper 140 in the expanded configuration. The outer surface 210 ofthe split shell 205 can seal with the pipe sidewall 190 to prohibit theflow of pipeline fluid past the pipe stopper 140. According to exampleaspects, the upper and lower locking rings 280,281 can then be movedfrom the unlocked position, as shown, to the locked position, as shownin FIG. 7 , to reinforce the split shell 205 and to secure the pipestopper 140 in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 7 illustrates the upper and lower locking rings 280,281 in thelocked position. To move the upper and lower locking rings 280,281 tothe locked position, the locking shaft 162 of the locking assembly 160can be pushed downward. The locking disc 286 (shown in FIG. 2A) can besecured to the locking shaft 162 and to the upper locking ring 280, suchthat pushing the locking shaft 162 downward can bias the upper lockingring 280 downward into the stopper cavity 212 of the split shell 205.The upper locking ring 280 can be connected to the lower locking ring281 by the linkage 285, and therefore, as the upper locking ring 280 isbiased downward into the stopper cavity 212, the lower locking ring 281can be drawn upward into the stopper cavity 212. As described above, insome aspects, each of the upper and lower locking rings 280,281 candefine the tapered ring sidewall 284 (shown in FIG. 2A). The taperedring sidewalls 284 can facilitate sliding the upper and lower lockingrings 280,281 into the stopper cavity 212 and can increasingly pressagainst the split shell 205 as they move to the locked position toensure the split shell 205 is fully expanded within the pipe 185. Theupper and lower locking rings 280,281 can further prevent the splitshell 205 from contracting, and can thus lock the expandable stopperbody 204 in the expanded configuration. Thus, the sealing of the splitshell 205 with the pipe 185 is not reliant upon the pressure of thepipeline fluid being maintained consistently within the pipeline 180.

To move the upper and lower locking rings 280,281 from the lockedposition to the unlocked position, such as the remove the pipe stopper140, the locking shaft 162 can be raised to withdraw the upper and lowerlocking rings 280,281 from the stopper cavity 212. To reorient theexpandable stopper body 204 from the expanded configuration to thecontracted configuration, the pressure in the housing cavity 275 must beequalized across the piston disc 267, such that the pressure in theupper portion 276 equals the pressure in the lower portion 277.According to example aspects, the valve stem 152 can be rotated to alignthe equalization fluid pathway 252 with the shaft opening 296 and theshaft fluid pathway 259. In the expanded configuration, the shaftopening 296 can clear the locking shaft 162, such that the shaft opening296 can be in fluid communication with the stopper cavity 212. Pipelinefluid in the stopper cavity 212 can therefore flow into the upperportion 276 of the housing cavity 275 through the shaft opening 296, theequalization fluid pathway 252, the shaft fluid pathway 259, and theneck channel 278. With the pipeline fluid in both the upper portion 276and the lower portion 277 of the housing cavity 275, the pressure acrossthe piston disc 267 can be equalized, and the piston disc 267 can lowerwithin the housing cavity 275. The arcuate shell body 213 can benaturally bias towards the contracted configuration, thereby loweringthe piston 261. Additionally, the weight of lower swivel cylinder 237,the lower chuck blocks 227 and lower actuation arms 222, and the loweractuation plate 231 can draw the piston 261 downward.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic of the pipe stopper 140, shown from thefront, according to another example aspect of the present disclosure,wherein the locking assembly 160 and the pressure assembly 260 can bedifferent than previously described. As shown, like the pipe stopper 140of FIGS. 1-7 , the pipe stopper 140 of the present aspect can comprisethe split shell 205 and the actuation arms 220 pivotably connectedthereto. The pipe stopper 140 can further comprise the pressure assembly260. The pressure assembly 260 can comprise the piston 261 and thepressure housing 268, as well as the lower actuation plate 231, whichcan be operatively coupled to the lower rod end 264 of the piston rod262. The upper actuation arms 221 can be pivotably connected to thepressure housing 268, and the lower actuation arms 222 can be pivotablyconnected to the lower actuation plate 231.

In the present aspect, the locking assembly 160 can comprise a lockingrod 810. The locking rod 810 can define an upper end 812 and a lower end814. The lower end 814 can be disposed within the housing cavity 275 ofthe pressure housing 268 and can engage the piston disc 267, asdescribed in further detail below with respect to FIG. 9 . The upper end812 can be oriented external to the housing cavity 275. According toexample aspects, the locking rod 810 can define a rod engagementmechanism 816 proximate to the upper end 812 thereof. In the presentaspect, the rod engagement mechanism 816 can be external threading 818;however, in other aspects, the rod engagement mechanism 816, can be gearteeth, ratchet teeth, or the like. Example aspects of the lockingassembly 160 can further comprise a locking clamp 820, which can beoriented in a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In thepresent aspect, the locking clamp 820 can comprise a pair of clampsegments 822 a,b, and the clamp segments 822 a,b can define a clampengagement mechanism 826 configured to engage with the rod engagementmechanism 816 in the locked configuration. In the present aspect, theclamp engagement mechanism 826 can be a threaded bore 828, and each ofthe clamp segments 822 a,b can define a portion of the threaded bore828. In other aspects, the clamp engagement mechanism 826 can be amating gear, a pawl, or the like.

In the unlocked configuration, the clamp segments 822 a,b can bedetached from the locking rod 810, such the locking rod 810 can bemovable relative to the locking clamp 820. According to example aspects,the locking clamp 820 can be in the unlocked configuration until theexpandable stopper body 204 moves to the expanded configuration and thesplit shell 205 seals with the pipe 185 (shown in FIG. 1 ). In thelocked configuration, the clamp segments 822 a,b can be clamped aroundthe locking rod 810 to retain the locking rod 810 in a fixed position.For example, in the present aspect, the external threading 818 of thelocking rod 810 can engage the threaded bore 828 of the locking clamp820 to secure the locking rod 810 in position relative to the lockingclamp 820. Furthermore, the engagement of the locking rod 810 with thepiston disc 267 can prohibit movement of the piston 261, thereby lockingthe expandable stopper body 204 in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 9 illustrates Detail 9 taken from FIG. 8 , which illustrates across-sectional view of the locking rod 810 engaged with the piston disc267. In the present aspect, a rod channel 960 can be formed through thepiston rod 262, which can be in fluid communication with the pipechannel 192 (shown in FIG. 1 ). The piston disc 267 can define anequalization chamber 920 and an equalization port 928. The equalizationchamber 920 can define an upper chamber section 922 and a lower chambersection 924, and a chamber neck 926 can extend between the upper andlower chamber sections 922,924. The equalization port 928 can be influid communication with the upper chamber section 922 and with theupper portion 276 (shown in FIG. 8 ) of the housing cavity 275 (shown inFIG. 8 ). The chamber neck 926 can define a diameter than can be lessthan a diameter of the upper chamber section 922 and less than adiameter of the lower chamber section 924. Furthermore, as shown, thelower chamber section 924 can define a chamber seat 930 adjacent to thechamber neck 926, and the upper chamber section 922 can define a chambershoulder 932 adjacent to the chamber neck 926. The equalization chamber920 can be in fluid communication with the rod channel 960, such thatpipeline fluid (e.g., gas) from the pipeline 180 (shown in FIG. 1 ) canflow into the equalization chamber 920 through the rod channel 960.

Example aspects of the piston 261 can further comprise a sealing ball940 and a spring 942 received within the equalization chamber 920, asshown. The spring 942 can extend from the upper rod end 263 of thepiston rod 262, and the sealing ball 940 can be coupled to the spring942 distal to the upper rod end 263. The spring 942 can be configured tobias the sealing ball 940 against the chamber seat 930 of the lowerchamber section 924, as shown. When the sealing ball 940 is seated withthe chamber seat 930, the sealing ball 940 can seal the chamber neck 926and the upper chamber section 922 off from the lower chamber section924, preventing fluid flow between the upper and lower chamber sections922,924. Thus, fluid can be prohibited from flowing through the pistondisc 267, and the upper portion 276 of the housing cavity 275 can besealed off from the lower portion 277 (shown in FIG. 8 ) of the housingcavity 275. The pressure assembly 260 (shown in FIG. 8 ) can beconfigured to operate substantially as described above when expandingthe expandable stopper body 204 (shown in FIG. 8 ) to the expandedconfiguration. However, the method of equalizing the pressure in the topand lower portions 276,277 of the housing cavity 275 can differ in thepresent aspect, as described below.

In the present aspect, the lower end 814 of the locking rod 810 canserve as a component of the pressure assembly 260. As shown, anequalization piston 910 can be defined at the lower end 814 of thelocking rod 810, and the equalization piston 910 can be received withinthe upper chamber section 922 of the equalization chamber 920. To securethe equalization piston 910 within the upper chamber, the piston disc267 can comprise an upper piston plate 950 and a lower piston body 952between which the equalization piston 910 can be received. Theequalization piston 910 can define a substantially annular flange 912,and a projection 914 can extend from the annular flange 912 towards thelower chamber section 924. In example aspects, the projection 914 can besized to extend through the chamber neck 926 of the equalization chamber920; however, the chamber shoulder 932 can prevent the annular flange912 from entering the chamber neck 926.

To unlock the expandable stopper body 204 and to equalize the pressurein the top and lower portions 276,277 of the housing cavity 275, thelocking clamp 820 (shown in FIG. 8 ) can be driven to rotate the lockingrod 810 therein, which can move the locking rod 810 in the downwarddirection, relative to the orientation shown. As the locking rod 810moves downward, the projection 914 of the equalization piston 910 canextend into and through the chamber neck 926 of the equalization chamber920. The projection 914 can contact the sealing ball 940 and push thesealing ball 940 away from the chamber seat 930. With the sealing ball940 unseated, pipeline fluid can flow from the lower chamber section 924into the upper chamber section 922, through the equalization port 928,and into the upper portion 276 of the housing cavity 275. Once thepressure has equalized within the top and lower portions 276,277, thelocking clamp 820 can release the locking rod 810 and move back to theunlocked configuration.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A pipe stopper assembly comprising: astopper fitting defining a fitting channel, the stopper fittingconfigured to be mounted to a pipeline; and a pipe stopper positioned inthe fitting channel and comprising an expandable stopper body and apressure assembly, the expandable stopper body configurable in anexpanded configuration and a contracted configuration, the pressureassembly configurable in an open configuration and a closedconfiguration; wherein, in the open configuration, the expandablestopper body is biased to the expanded configuration, and in the closedconfiguration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the contractedconfiguration; and wherein, in the expanded configuration, fluid isprohibited from flowing through the fitting channel, and in thecontracted configuration, fluid is permitted to flow through the fittingchannel; and the pressure assembly comprises a pressure housing defininga housing cavity; the housing cavity defines an upper portion and alower portion sealed off from the upper portion; in the openconfiguration, the upper portion is in fluid communication with anatmosphere external to the pipe stopper assembly; in the closedconfiguration, the upper portion is sealed off from the atmosphere; andthe lower portion is in fluid communication with the fitting channel. 2.The pipe stopper assembly of claim 1, further comprising a stopperbonnet coupled to the stopper fitting, the stopper bonnet defining abonnet cavity in fluid communication with the fitting channel.
 3. Thepipe stopper assembly of claim 1, wherein: the pipe stopper furthercomprises a valve stem defining a stem fluid pathway in fluidcommunication with the atmosphere; the valve stem configurable in anopen position and a closed position; in the open position, the stemfluid pathway is in fluid communication with the upper portion of thehousing cavity; and in the closed position, the stem fluid pathway isnot in fluid communication with the upper portion of the housing cavity.4. The pipe stopper assembly of claim 3, when the valve stem furtherdefines an equalization fluid pathway, the equalization fluid pathway influid communication with the upper portion of the pressure housing inthe closed position, the equalization fluid pathway further in fluidcommunication with the fitting channel in the closed configuration. 5.The pipe stopper assembly of claim 3, wherein the pressure assemblyfurther comprises a piston slidably engaged with the housing cavity andoperatively connected to the expandable stopper body.
 6. The pipestopper assembly of claim 5, wherein: the piston comprises a piston discsealing the upper portion of the housing cavity from the lower portionof the housing cavity; the piston further comprises a piston rod extendfrom the piston disc, through the lower portion, and passing through apiston opening in the pressure housing; and the piston rod isoperatively connected to the expandable stopper body.
 7. The pipestopper assembly of claim 6, wherein the pipe stopper further comprisesan actuation arm pivotably connected to the expandable stopper body andpivotably connected to the piston, the actuation arm configured to movethe expandable stopper body between the expanded configuration and thecontracted configuration as the piston slides within the housing cavity.8. The pipe stopper assembly of claim 7, further comprising a chuckblock and a swivel cylinder, the actuation arm pivotably coupled to thechuck block, the swivel cylinder movably engaged with the chuck block,the swivel cylinder configured to rotate and the chuck block configuredto move as the swivel cylinder rotates to adjust a radial position thechuck block relative to the swivel cylinder and thereby adjust adiameter of the pipe stopper.
 9. The pipe stopper assembly of claim 8,wherein the swivel cylinder defines a spiral track, the spiral track isslidably engaged with the chuck block, and the chuck block is configuredto ride on the spiral track as the swivel cylinder rotates.
 10. The pipestopper assembly of claim 8, wherein the actuation arm is an upperactuation arm, the chuck block is an upper chuck block, and the swivelcylinder is an upper swivel cylinder; the pipe stopper assembly furthercomprises a lower chuck block, a lower swivel cylinder, and a loweractuation arm pivotably coupled to the lower chuck block; the lowerswivel cylinder is movably engaged with the lower chuck block; the lowerswivel cylinder is configured to rotate; and the lower chuck block isconfigured to move as the lower swivel cylinder rotates to adjust aradial position the lower chuck block relative to the lower swivelcylinder and thereby adjust the diameter of the pipe stopper.
 11. Thepipe stopper assembly of claim 10, wherein: the upper chuck block isdisposed between the upper swivel cylinder and an upper actuation plate;the upper chuck block is configured to engage an upper block recess ofthe upper actuation plate and to slide radially within the upper blockrecess; the lower chuck block is disposed between the lower swivelcylinder and a lower actuation plate; and the lower chuck block isconfigured to engage a lower block recess of the lower actuation plateand is configured to slide radially within the lower block recess. 12.The pipe stopper assembly of claim 10, wherein the expandable stopperbody comprises a shell, the shell defining a stopper cavity and furtherdefining an opening providing fluid communication to the stopper cavitythrough the shell, the upper swivel cylinder and the lower swivelcylinder disposed within the stopper cavity.
 13. The pipe stopperassembly of claim 12, wherein: the upper swivel cylinder and the lowerswivel cylinder together define a swivel cavity; the swivel cavity is influid communication with the stopper cavity; the pressure housing isdisposed within the swivel cavity; and the upper swivel cylinder isconfigured to telescope within the lower swivel cylinder.
 14. The pipestopper assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one of the upper swivelcylinder and the lower swivel cylinder defines a cylinder opening formedtherethrough, the swivel cavity in fluid communication with the stoppercavity.
 15. The pipe stopper assembly of claim 14, wherein: one of theupper swivel cylinder and the lower swivel cylinder defines alongitudinal cylinder slot; and the other of the upper swivel cylinderand the lower swivel cylinder defines a longitudinal cylinder ribslidably engaging the longitudinal cylinder slot.
 16. The pipe stopperassembly of claim 12, wherein the shell comprises bendable arcuate shellbody.
 17. The pipe stopper assembly of claim 1, further comprising alocking assembly, the locking assembly configured to engage theexpandable stopper body and to prohibit contraction of the expandablestopper body and to secure the pipe stopper in the expandedconfiguration.
 18. The pipe stopper assembly of claim 17, wherein: thelocking assembly comprises a locking ring movable between a lockedconfiguration and an unlocked configuration; in the lockedconfiguration, the locking ring is drawn into a stopper cavity of theexpandable stopper body and engages an inner surface of the expandablestopper body; and in the unlocked configuration, the locking ring is atleast partially withdrawn from the stopper cavity and disengages theinner surface of the expandable stopper body.
 19. The pipe stopperassembly claim 18, wherein: the locking ring is an upper locking ring;the locking assembly further comprises a lower locking ring; thepressure assembly is disposed between the upper locking ring and thelower locking ring; and the upper locking ring is operatively coupled tothe lower locking ring by a linkage for simultaneous movement of theupper locking ring and the lower locking ring between the lockedconfiguration and the unlocked configuration.
 20. A pipe stopperassembly comprising: a stopper fitting defining a fitting channel, thestopper fitting configured to be mounted to a pipeline; and a pipestopper positioned in the fitting channel and comprising an expandablestopper body and a pressure assembly, the expandable stopper bodyconfigurable in an expanded configuration and a contractedconfiguration, the pressure assembly configurable in an openconfiguration and a closed configuration; wherein, in the openconfiguration, the expandable stopper body is biased to the expandedconfiguration, and in the closed configuration, the expandable stopperbody is biased to the contracted configuration; and wherein, in theexpanded configuration, fluid is prohibited from flowing through thefitting channel, and in the contracted configuration, fluid is permittedto flow through the fitting channel; a locking assembly, the lockingassembly configured to engage the expandable stopper body and toprohibit contraction of the expandable stopper body and to secure thepipe stopper in the expanded configuration; the locking assemblycomprises a locking ring movable between a locked configuration and anunlocked configuration; in the locked configuration, the locking ring isdrawn into a stopper cavity of the expandable stopper body and engagesan inner surface of the expandable stopper body; and in the unlockedconfiguration, the locking ring is at least partially withdrawn from thestopper cavity and disengages the inner surface of the expandablestopper body.